Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Should you throw away tools?!

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Should you throw away tools?!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-29-25 | 12:00 PM
  #26  
grumpus's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 1,756
Originally Posted by Kontact
I don't know why people insist on using those flat fixed cup wrenches. A large adjustable works much better.
They're fine for their intended purpose but not if the cup is stubborn. That's why we used to have stuff like this:

grumpus is offline  
Reply
Old 12-29-25 | 12:03 PM
  #27  
grumpus's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 1,756
Originally Posted by cyccommute
I have replaced them several times. People keep losing them. At some point, you just have to go with the flow.
Red loctite or silver solder?
grumpus is offline  
Reply
Old 12-29-25 | 12:07 PM
  #28  
Dave Mayer's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 848
At our big-city high-volume bike Co-op we go through a lot of tools. Constant use, and often by inexperienced volunteers and clients who strip the tools and their bike parts. We try and monitor the stands, but the experienced mechanics cannot monitor everything.

So the tools that suffer the most are screwdrivers, hex keys and freewheel removers. Actually most folks try and remove freewheels with cassette lockring tools, hence the one-per-week attrition rate there. Plus splined bottom bracket tools on seized BB cups. These tools go right to recycling, as the risk of wrecking a bike part does not justify using worn-out tools - false economics.

We get a lot of stuff donated to us, including good and sometimes broken/worn out tools. Please do not donate your knowingly broken tools to a Co-op; it just causes us to waste time assessing it and eventually binning it.

Same goes for worn-out chains and department store anything. And Imperial-spec hex keys, wrenches and sockets. We have to puzzle away as to why they don't fit bike nuts and bolts, while we risk stripping metric bike parts, and then they get binned. Now we are binning Imperial tools proactively: direct to steel recycling.
Dave Mayer is offline  
Reply
Old 12-29-25 | 02:10 PM
  #29  
Kontact's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12,629
Likes: 4,781
Originally Posted by grumpus
They're fine for their intended purpose but not if the cup is stubborn. That's why we used to have stuff like this:
I disagree that the flat tool, on its own, grips the cup well or provides a hand hold that sufficient torque can be transmitted through. It exists because people assume there should be a basic wrench for it, but the design is stupid.
Kontact is offline  
Reply
Old 12-29-25 | 09:13 PM
  #30  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,324
Likes: 5,233
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by grumpus
Beat that wrench on an anvil with a big hammer to push some of the displaced metal back where it belongs, then remove any remaining burr with a file or dremel. It will be less likely to slip and distort when it's flat with crisp edges.
And the hammering will work-harden the metal, and make it less likely to be displaced in the future.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.